antihistamine

Antihistamines such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine) and Claritin (loratadine) can be purchased Mario Tama/Getty Images

The purpose of an antihistamine is to work against the effects of histamine, a chemical substance found in nearly all body tissues. Histamine is released in response to injury or invasion by foreign substances such as pollens (seeallergy). It is also the irritating agent in certain insect venoms. It appears to play a protective role in body chemistry, but its functions

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